CRO GOVT: ICTY DECISION - OUTSTANDING LEGAL SUCCESS FOR CROATIA

ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - The decision of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia saying that the Tribunal cannot issue a subpoena duces tecum to a sovereign state or its officials and that the subpoena for Croatia and its defense minister is quashed represents an exceptional legal success for Croatia, of international and political significance, a statement of the Croatian government's Communications Office said on Wednesday. Croatia has, in line with its constitutional law on cooperation with the Tribunal, proved it is willing for full cooperation with the Tribunal, the government's statement said, adding this cooperation must be within legal limits and based on full respect for Croatia's legal sovereignty. In defending its viewpoints, Croatia also defended the general principle of sovereign equality of states, which stipulates that in international relations equal rules have to be abided by all, small and big, said the government statement. The issuance of a subpoena in the form of threat under punishment to Croatia and its defense minister surpassed the boundaries of international law and called the respect for Croatia's sovereignty into question. The international standing of every country is fortified through cooperation with the international community and its key factors, but also through insisting on one's own rights and the protection of state interests. As concerns cooperation with the Tribunal in The Hague, Croatia took steps on both plans, thus efficiently protecting its rights and interests, the government statement concluded. (hina) ha jn 291918 MET oct 97